How long does it take to recover from hip replacement surgery?

Total hip replacement is a major surgical procedure. 

Post-surgery and PT, A large majority of patients can bear weight on the new hip and independently walk by using a walker or crutches on a leveled surface and even navigate through stairs in both ways.  

Hence, the majority of the patients are safely discharged from the hospital.  

You will be able to move independently at home and you will not require any help for walking short distances. 

The majority of the patients will need a walker or crutches for a maximum of 2 weeks after total hip replacement.

The physical therapist will also evaluate your requirement for a walker at regular intervals.  

As your pain decreases, you will be able to move with greater ease and walk longer distances.  

Eventually, you will have physical therapy at a nearby PT clinic to further increase the strength surrounding the hip. 

The majority of patients have a considerable change in their hip-related symptoms very shortly following hip replacement surgery.  

Still, the majority of them will require pain killers to manage their pain for the initial 2 to 4 weeks post-surgery. 

Your surgical team will assess your needs for continued pain killers at your first follow up appointment post-surgery.  

Many patients will have excellent pain control in about 4 to 6 weeks post-surgery. 

It is common for patients to be fatigued after a total hip replacement, which is due in part to anesthesia, blood loss, pain, and the requirement of prescription pain-killers.  

This tiredness will gradually go away for 6 weeks post-surgery. 

The majority of patients can resume their normal activities within 6 weeks of surgery.  

Normally, around this time patients will also be able to resume driving in case they no longer are taking any prescription pain killers.  

Within 12 weeks following surgery, many patients can resume their routine recreation. It may take some up to 6 months to fully recover following a hip replacement.